Purrukuparli
1992
Medium
earth pigments on canvas
Measurements
92.4 × 77.0 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased through The Art Foundation of Victoria with the assistance of the Alcoa Foundation, Governor, 1994
© Carmelina Puantalura
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
For Tiwi people, the story of Purrukuparli and his wife Wai-ai (or Bima) is profoundly important. One day, while gathering food, Bima was enticed to make love with Taparra, her brother-in-law, leaving their son Jinani alone for so long that he perished from heat stroke. Purrukuparli picked up the body of his dead son, walked out into the sea and announced that death had come to the Tiwi, leaving his wife in the bush. Since then, whenever someone dies, Tiwi people make tutini (poles) and pamijini (arm bands), paint their bodies and perform mourning songs and dances to say goodbye to the deceased.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Melville Island, Northern Territory
Accession Number
O.110-1994
Department
First Nations Australia
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation